Phytoextract of Indian mustard seeds acts by suppressing the generation of ROS against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells

Abstract

Context: Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss. (Brassicaceae)] is reported to possess diverse pharmacological properties. However, limited information is available concerning its hepatoprotective activity and mechanism of action.

Objective: To study the protective mechanism of mustard seed extract against acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line.

Materials and methods: Hepatotoxicity models were established using APAP (2.5–22.5 mM) based on the cytotoxicity profile. An antioxidant-rich fraction from mustard seeds was extracted and evaluated for its hepatoprotective potential. The mechanism of action was elucidated using various in vitro antioxidant assays, the detection of intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell cycle analysis. The phytoconstituents isolated via HPLC-DAD were also evaluated for hepatoprotective activity.

Results: Hydromethanolic seed extract exhibited hepatoprotective activity in post- and pre-treatment models of 20 mM APAP toxicity and restored the elevated levels of liver indices to normal values (p < 0.05). Post-treatment suppressed the generation of ROS by 58.37% and pre-treatment effectively prevented the generation of ROS by 90.5%. The mechanism of ROS suppression was further supported by antioxidant activity (IC₅₀) data from DPPH (103.37 ± 4.2 µg AAE/mg), FRAP (83.26 ± 1.1 µg AAE/mg), ORAC (1115 µM GAE/ml), ABTS (83.05 µg GAE/ml), and superoxide (345.22 ± 5.15 µg AAE/mg) scavenging assays and by the restoration of cell cycle alterations. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence quercetin, vitamin E, and catechin, which exhibited hepatoprotective activity.

Discussion and conclusions: A phytoextract of mustard seeds acts by suppressing the generation of ROS in response to APAP toxicity.

• Antioxidant
• Brassica juncea
• cell cycle
• hepatoprotective
• HPLC-DAD
• liver enzymes
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgements

The authors express sincere thanks to SAIF, IIT Bombay for allowing us to use flow cytometer and Dr. P. S. Ramanathan advanced instrumentation center, Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai, for allowing the use of the best available HPLC facility and kind support for this work.

Declaration of interest

The authors report that they have no conflict of interest.